Most women have at least one bad vaginal habit, whether they know it or not. Some habits seem harmless enough, but they can lead to long-term consequences that make it hard to maintain proper vaginal health and comfort. Read on to learn more about the most common vaginal habits that can ruin your health and what you can do to change them.
1) Don’t wear tight clothing
The most common habit that can ruin your vaginal health is wearing tight clothing, like leggings or tights. All these clothes are basically like underwear. Tight pants also put too much pressure on the pelvic area and groin. This prevents blood flow and stops normal circulation of fluids in the genital area which can lead to yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis!
One other thing to consider is that you shouldn’t be wearing tampons for more than 8 hours straight because this puts too much pressure on the vagina.
Similarly, don’t wear thongs for long periods of time because they can also increase your risk of developing bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. Keep your groin area as breathable as possible. Opt for cotton underwear that allows air to circulate freely in and out of your vagina.
Don’t use hot water: Next on our list is using hot water to clean down there after you take a shower or bath.
2) Use warm water on the vulva
Wash your vulva with warm water and cotton after you urinate. Urinating gets rid of any bacteria on the urethra, while the warm water helps remove any remaining urine in the folds of skin and around the anus. The vagina is self-cleaning; it doesn’t need to be scrubbed or bathed like other parts of your body do. However, sometimes soap is necessary if there’s discharge present because it contains chemicals that can fight bacteria.
Excessive douching can change your pH balance, leading to infections and irritation. Douching has also been linked to a higher risk of cervical cancer because it can push abnormal cells deeper into your cervix and uterus. Avoid douching completely if you have a history of pre-cancerous changes in your cervix. Always check with your doctor before using soap or an over-the-counter product that contains chemicals on or around your vulva.
3) Make sure you have enough vitamin A
Making sure you have enough vitamin A helps avoid vaginal discomfort and any urinary tract infections. Foods rich in vitamin A include milk, leafy green vegetables, and some types of seafood. You can also take a supplement to me make sure you’re getting enough.
Vitamin A is also useful for healthy vaginal tissues. It helps prevent discomfort and encourages new tissue growth, so it’s important. to make sure you’re getting enough vitamin A. One of the best ways to do that is through diet, which means eating more vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin A. You can also take a supplement if your diet doesn’t supply you with sufficient amounts of vitamin A.
4) Wear underwear made out of cotton
Wearing underwear made out of cotton is one of the habits that can ruin your vaginal health, but not the only one. Keeping feminine hygiene products (i.e. tampons, sanitary pads) dry is also important for maintaining good vaginal health. Avoid douching and always rinse after a bowel movement and urination to keep harmful bacteria at bay.
To keep good vaginal health, women should be sure to avoid wearing underwear made out of materials that are not breathable and absorbent such as plastic. Wearing underwear made out of latex or rubber, like condoms or male condoms can also have negative effects on your vaginal health, including irritation and in rare cases toxic shock syndrome.
5) Go on short holidays instead of long ones
Short breaks in place of lengthy holidays is a habit that can ruin your vaginal health. Daily urinary stress from urinating or activities such as bike riding, can contribute to vaginal dryness and the inflammation of the vagina.
Women who have worked for a long time without taking any vacation at all may also suffer from vaginal issues, as they don’t give their bodies enough time to recover. If you’re keen on avoiding these problems and if you want to enjoy better sex, it’s best to go on short holidays instead of long ones. Short breaks will help you relax and recover after stressful days at work, leaving your body healthier than before.
6) Always wipe after going to the toilet
Always wipe after going to the toilet. You should not just pat dry with a bit of toilet paper, as this will leave your genitals susceptible to infection. Pee and poop are not just dirty on the outside, but inside as well.
It is best to use clean water and a mild, unscented soap when cleaning your genital area. Avoid scented hygiene products like bubble bath or shower gel in your bath or shower as these can affect vaginal health, increasing irritation and causing infections like thrush. Douching is never advised either, especially if you are trying to conceive (both men and women). If you use tampons while menstruating, be sure to change them regularly.
7) Don’t use too many soaps or wipes
You want to make sure you are not drying out your vagina with too many soaps or wipes. Wiping too much can also cause infections like bacterial vaginosis. You may be tempted to use extra soap because you have been sweating or have gone on a run but remember that extra soap isn’t needed and actually can irritate your vagina if it is used too often.
Remember to always use water when cleansing your vagina and never douche. Douching is when you use a device inserted into your vagina to clean it. Douching does not actually clean anything; instead, it can push debris further up into your reproductive system causing irritation or infections.
8) Never use douches
A douche is a liquid solution that is squirted into the vagina. These substances come in various containers and consist of water, soap, vinegar, baking soda, and iodine. Douches are marketed to kill off odor-causing bacteria and to maintain a fresh smell. However, they can disrupt the natural pH balance of the vagina by introducing too much of an alkaline substance or by inserting too much pressure while spraying or rinsing.
Douches can cause a host of problems. For instance, they can promote infection by disrupting the natural flora of your vagina, which could lead to bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections.
Conclusion :
Not Showering – Bacteria thrives when there is an accumulation of sweat and vaginal discharge. So no matter how intense your workout was, you can still help make sure your vagina is clean by showering immediately after. It’s especially important to pay extra attention to wiping from front to back with toilet paper. Every wipe will reduce the amount of bacteria on the anus, but it’ll also leave your vulva free of contaminants, too.